Film set in North Macedonia wins Tokyo Grand Prix - NHKニュース

A film set in North Macedonia, "Sister Brother Manhole Cover," was awarded the top prize at this year's Tokyo International Film Festival, which concluded on Wednesday.

The movie by Macedonian-American director Milcho Manchevski was awarded the Tokyo Grand Prix in the competition section on the closing day.

The film depicts a brother and sister who make a living stealing and selling bronze statues and manhole covers in the North Macedonian capital of Skopje.

In a video message, Manchevski thanked everyone who loved the movie. He said it is "a film about unusual families and about the haves and have-nots" and is "not about messages but about people."

Narita Ryo received the Award for Best Actor for his role in "Two Cigarettes, Three Nights," directed by Mishima Yukiko.

Mishima accepted the award on behalf of the Japanese actor. She said he has the ability to enrich a movie and the set, and she truly feels proud of him.

A total of 204 films from around the world were shown during the festival that opened on October 26.